Religious Congregations as Voluntary Associations

Abstract

This article highlights religious congregations as a form of nonprofit organization and voluntary association. It contends that, when theology and faith are removed, congregations are a ubiquitous form of nonprofit organization. The article focuses on five key areas of understanding congregations: defining congregations in a manner that set them apart, the great variability that exists among congregations, why congregations are important, what congregations do that is unique, and who attends congregations. As there are many others aspects of congregational studies, the article also suggests other areas of study as well as key supporting citations.